Difference between two tablets that are the same exact medication?

I know a lot of medications have many companies that make generics of the medicine. I know that the original Norco and most of the generic Norco are yellow in color. I found 2 white pills that look exactly the same and when searched the imprints on them, they were identified as generic Norco - 10mg hydrocodone/325 acetaminophen. The tablets, even though they look alike in color, size, and shape, have only one difference: the imprints. One of the tablets has "M367" on one side and just a line down the middle on the other side for easy breaking. The other pill, looking exactly the same, has the imprint "M523" on one side and no line on the other side, but another imprint of "10/325." Are these both really generic Norco (10 hydro/325 apap)? And if so, what is the difference between these 2 tablets/medications?

I disagree. I know they're supposed to be the same but myself and someone else I know with chronic pain, have noticed a remarkable difference lately. The white ones are not nearly as strong and seem to make me jittery. When both of us have mentioned this to each of our pharmacists we were laughed at and told that it was impossible. We now go to pharmacies that consistently use the yellow ones. I'd love to know how this could happen and how to get pharmacy to believe me. I'm spending a lot more now by not going the warehouse store.

kwisser, I'm having the same experience. My usual pharmacy for Norco just changed from yellows to whites and looked at me like I was from Mars when I told them I'd be transferring my Rx to another pharmacy since the whites are ineffective. I spent over an hour today calling around and found that CVS, Walmart, Costco all dispense the whites. Rite-Aid carries the yellows but they were out of stock. *sigh*

I am having the same kind of problem... my pharmacy once again changed manufacturers once again so I no longer have the little yellow pills. I have the oblong white ones that say M357 on them and they are NOT working like they're supposed to?? Now I have this full script of pills that don't work for me - what can I do?? Can I take this full script and bring it to Walgreens to see if they would 'swap' it out so to speak? I don't know what the difference is between the yellow and white pills aside from the obvious... they're different manufacturers but these white pills are just not as effective. Does anyone know why that is? Am I just stuck for the next month with a bunch of pills that don't work well?

I myself suffer with chronic pain and just picked my pills and when i got home found they were the white ones. i was taking the liquid version but it was not long acting so my primary put me back on the pills so i have not had a chance to take one yet because i have gotten used to taking the liquid when i get up in the morning so i can at least move around but they say watson 853 on them and i looked them up it says they have the same ingredient as the yellow.

So glad to hear these comments. I was beginning to think I was crazy thinking that the white generics were different than the yellows although I can definitely tell the difference. Now I wish there was something to do about it other than changing pharmacies. I wish I could convince my pharmacy that their supplier is not providing the same quality without them thinking I'm just some crazy addict.

The pharmacist doesn't take them. So he is full of crap. Their is a difference. I have been on them for five years and the yellow is a harder pill so the time release is effected. notice the white ones come on faster and leave faster. I can only guess that the yellow dye acts as a additional binder.

I agree with all of you who say the white are NOT the same. I have taken the yellow 10/325 120 a month for 11 yrs for severe back pain & chronic pain & just this last month I changed pharmacies due to INS. & when I opened I found the white.I have had headaches each day & for no reason I have been sweating horribly which I don't ever do.I have felt tired, agitated, & typically not myself. I never associated it with the meds. I am so agravated now to learn that they are affecting so many. I just can't deal with the amount of pain I am having now also. I am on W/Comp right now for a TKA with complications & have severe knee pain too. I rely on my meds to help me have some quality of life & be able to function. I am so thankful to find this place & as sorry as I am that everyone is suffering I am glad I am not only one with issues.

Can anyone tell me where I need to call to get some answers or find out where to get yellow watson? I got the white @ Walgreens. Thanks to all who helped with this. I get really tired of the switching, & when you call around to find certain brands they act like you are planning on robbing the store or you are a drug dealer! They aren't to judge BUT for the most part they do...

I have taken the yellow ones for 6.5 yrs. 3 months my pharmacy switched to the white ones. They are NOT as good for taking away my pain. They make me real sleepy, and I also seem to need more. I found a pharmacy that carries the yellows still. They cost me more there, but it is so worth it!

Pharmacists say this is the same drug, regardless of color. However, having been on this drug myself I agree with all the others who say that the yellow pill seems to pack more punch to it, while the white seems weaker. It is supposedly not true, but it has been what I have experienced also

Yes they are the same drugs. I used both types on many occasions over the years, and I also found the yellow ones to be slightly stronger. I believe it is because the manufacturers have certain allowed tolerance levels as to how much active ingredient must be included in the drug. This means they are allowed certain deviation from the standard amount, plus minus certain percentage. For example, one manufacturer might be putting plus 15% of hydrocodone above the standard and the other might be putting minus 10 % of hydrocodone below the standard. Both are within the allowed tolerance but this can mean a 25% difference between the amount of active ingredient in the pills from one over the other manufacturer.

Another observation I has is that the yellow pills always seem to be much fresher. You can almost smell the difference when you open the bottle. I am not sure why that is but it seems as the pharmacies store the white pills for much longer time and the yellows pills always seem as recently manufactured. I have to say this is the case most of the times. but I did also have a case on one occasion where the yellow pills were not so much different from the white ones.

Caryleighs, I had to call around to find a pharmacy that dispenses the yellow ones. I don't call them each time, but I do check before I leave the pharmacy to make sure they didn't change them since the last time I was there. It seems that most if not all of the major pharmacies have switched to the white ones but locally owned "Mom and Pop" type of pharmacies tend to have the yellows, or even both in stock.

I just can't agree at all that the white and yellow are the same. (almost)Every pharmacist will lie and say the generic are the same drug but not so. Did you know that medications are made in Europe, Mexico, India, Canada and elsewhere? When a shipment of Norco comes to the US, or any other med for that matter, is it logistically possible to check each batch with as many people as there are taking pharmacuiticals? Not! I can tell the difference and a big one. I KNOW THE YELLOW NORCO ARE better but since all this Tylenol restructure began I have noticed a difference, in the side effects of even the yellow ones, as I have begun sweating profusely. Same dose, same times and same brand supposedly. I think the Qualitest brand is the very best. And you have to check to make sure you are getting the yellow ones before you leave the drug store. They WILL NOT TAKE THEM BACK ONCE YOU LEAVE THE STORE.

And yes, the MA and PA drug stores will try harder to get what you want BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. AND COUNT THEM, TOO. I got shorted 14 one time. Until a big law firm gets a hold of this, I think we are stuck and will remain despirate. I couldn't even get one BIG BOX store that has a pharmacy to tell me what color they had over the phone. Why I don't know. With Obama Care it is going to get worse. With chronic pain we are at their mercy. Wish I could save all of us!!! Best regards to all.

The yellow Norcos are time released. Like an extended release tablet, or so I've been told. Which I believe is correct because the only time I've seen the white Norco, they didn't have any coating on them like the yellow Norco.

I have chronic pain & I usually get the yellow ones but today I went to different pharmacy and they gave me the white ones as soon as I took it I knew it was different. It's not time release & Yes they are different !!! I will be calling my doctor tomorrow

I agree that there is a difference. I have been using white for years, I was changed to yellow of the same dosage. I only take one pill. I took one of the yellow, it was too strong for me. I had a slight headache too. I broke it in half, and all was well. There is definitely a difference, I don't care what the pharmaceuticals say. They need check further.

I have been prescribed Norco 10/325 tablets, for quite awhile now. I just yesterday got a new Rx & new pain management center and physician, as well. Note: occasionally I will ask for Percocet, so my body can have something slightly different. A change is a good idea, once in awhile... since your system can get too use to a certain medication. Anyway, I have noticed for a long time now, that their is definitely a difference in quality & potency between different generic drug companies. I very much believe that the Qualitest brand, is THE best out there! They are a yellow tablet with a stylized "V" on one side & "36 | 01" on the other side. These very much seem to work the best, out of all the generics out there. The white ones from other companies just don't work as well, for me. I have heard other people say the same thing. Safeway pharmacy is where I can get these. In fact, they ran out of the yellow ones a few months ago, & I had to get the white ones. Their was such a huge difference in potency & effectiveness. Just a tip, for patients prescribed Vicodin/Norco. Their IS a difference in generic drug companies!! I hope this helps. Ps- I know their is a rating for the different generics they make, for all or most medication. Eg, "AB," etc. I almost forgot about the letters ratings, until recently. I actually forgot how that system works.

I have found that the differences everyone experiences are b/c they are manufactured by different companies. I FINALLY figured out that the manufacturer "Watson" is the one that works the best for me. That slight variance they have makes all the difference in the world... for me anyway. It could be generic or or regular - but as long as its manufactured by Watson I get relief. Those white pills that say M357 or whatever on there are just crap. They don't work at all nor do I know of anyone who gets relief from them. The yellow ones work well too. Now that Norco is a "class 2" I feel like I am signing over my first born to get it! It's all just a mess now to even get this script b/c the pharmacies says there's such a backlog for these now!

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.